Free Download
Detailed Business Plan Template for Small Business
Get a fill-in-the-blank business plan template designed to impress lenders and investors.
Or use LivePlan's guided business plan builder.
Available formats:
Downloads: 910
Our free template includes:
Detailed instructions
More than just a template, you’ll learn how to write a winning business plan.
SBA-lender approved format
Your plan will be in the format lenders and investors expect.
Fill-in-the-blanks simplicity
You don’t need to be an expert, this template makes business planning easy.
Expert tips & tricks
Get the most out of your business plan - sent straight to your inbox!
All 100% free. We're here to help you succeed in business, no strings attached.
Skip the hassle of Word and Excel business plan templates
You could write your business plan using Word and Excel, but you’ll spend countless extra hours figuring out how to create an impressive–looking document.
Instead, choose a business plan builder like LivePlan. There is no formatting or messing around with financial formulas, just an impressive-looking business plan built to wow lenders and investors.
A complete business planning solution
| Features |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Step-by-step instructions | | |
| 550+ real-world business plan examples | | |
| AI business plan generator | | |
| Flexible outline | | |
| Built-in financial formulas | | |
| Integrates with QuickBooks and Xero | | |
| Industry comparison data | | |
| Automatic charts and graphs | | |
| Secure online sharing | | |
| Pitch inforgraphic | | |
| Financial performance tracking | | |
| Ten design themes | | |
| Special offers and discounts ($300 value) | | |
Entrepreneurs & business owners love LivePlan
“I learned more about running my small business from a week of focused work in [LivePlan] than I have from any other single source. It has fundamentally changed the way I view my business ventures.”
Matthew H
Capterra Review
“Using LivePlan is easy and there is so much assistance available. There are examples, templates, and videos explaining what to write. [...]. It does the math for you. It creates graphs and charts. It is amazing.”
Shawnnell B
G2 Review
“LivePlan was a great help to design, work out, plan and strategically organize and think about all the ideas that go into developing a new project and business plan [...] Think about it like a coach guiding you through the process.”
Alvaro F
Shopper Approved Review
“I've been using LivePlan with Xero for a few months now and love it. It's given me visibility about how we're doing against Forecast like I've never had before...”
Rob Mackley
Xero App Store Review
“Before LivePlan, my team and I had no idea where or how to start [...] It helped us focus on and build every single area of our business strategy and recognize that some aspects of the company needed to be adjusted before we could launch.”
Ifeanyi K
Capterra Review
“LivePlan has eased my business planning processes and have provided me with easy access to credit from both banks and investors alike.”
Bashir T
Shopper Approved Review
“All businesses require solutions and tools [...] for control of expenses, spreadsheets were always the first option, but since the arrival of LivePlan, all work is easier and more automated.”
Maggie L
Trust Radius Review
“I didn't have a business plan and using LivePlan helped give me an easy tool to build a strong business plan for myself and clients. My clients have gone on to enhance their plans and grow their businesses.”
Gabriella B
G2 Review
“LivePlan made us feel confident and secure in our numbers and gave us a clear view of our past, present and future!”
Angela A
Capterra Review
“LivePlan provides the balance between stating your vision, the framework to support it, and the numbers.”
Mike R
Shopper Approved Review
“I learned more about running my small business from a week of focused work in [LivePlan] than I have from any other single source. It has fundamentally changed the way I view my business ventures.”
Matthew H
Capterra Review
“Using LivePlan is easy and there is so much assistance available. There are examples, templates, and videos explaining what to write. [...]. It does the math for you. It creates graphs and charts. It is amazing.”
Shawnnell B
G2 Review
“LivePlan was a great help to design, work out, plan and strategically organize and think about all the ideas that go into developing a new project and business plan [...] Think about it like a coach guiding you through the process.”
Alvaro F
Shopper Approved Review
“I've been using LivePlan with Xero for a few months now and love it. It's given me visibility about how we're doing against Forecast like I've never had before...”
Rob Mackley
Xero App Store Review
“Before LivePlan, my team and I had no idea where or how to start [...] It helped us focus on and build every single area of our business strategy and recognize that some aspects of the company needed to be adjusted before we could launch.”
Ifeanyi K
Capterra Review
“LivePlan has eased my business planning processes and have provided me with easy access to credit from both banks and investors alike.”
Bashir T
Shopper Approved Review
“All businesses require solutions and tools [...] for control of expenses, spreadsheets were always the first option, but since the arrival of LivePlan, all work is easier and more automated.”
Maggie L
Trust Radius Review
“I didn't have a business plan and using LivePlan helped give me an easy tool to build a strong business plan for myself and clients. My clients have gone on to enhance their plans and grow their businesses.”
Gabriella B
G2 Review
“LivePlan made us feel confident and secure in our numbers and gave us a clear view of our past, present and future!”
Angela A
Capterra Review
“LivePlan provides the balance between stating your vision, the framework to support it, and the numbers.”
Mike R
Shopper Approved Review
Frequently asked questions
Our free template is available to download in many common file formats including Google Docs, Microsoft Word (docx), or as a free business plan PDF.
This is a printable template—whether you download it as a pdf or word document, or access it via Google Docs. The business plan template is pre-formatted and structured to fit lender and investor standards, but can be edited and adjusted to suite your needs before printing.
Just be aware that any changes may unintentionally break the template, so make sure to review before printing.
The steps to write a business plan include:
Defining the opportunity: Explain the problem your business solves, the solution you offer, your target market, and the competitive landscape.
Describing how you'll execute: Outline your marketing and sales strategies, operational plan, milestones, and success metrics.
Adding company details: Provide information about your business structure, ownership, and team.
Creating a financial plan and forecasts: Include detailed financial statements, forecasts, and funding requirements.
Adding supplementary info to your appendix: Add any additional information, such as resumes, permits, and other relevant documents.
Summarizing your plan: While it may be first, do your executive summary last. In it, you'll briefly summarize your business, highlighting key points such as mission, product/service, and basic financial information.
For additional information, check out our full step-by-step guide to write a business plan in as little as 30-minutes.
Writing a business plan can be easy if you use the right tools, understand your business, and come in prepared to write your business plan.
Using a template or dedicated business plan builder can make writing a business plan easier. Additionally, if you focus on just getting your information down quickly, with the expectation that you'll revisit and revise your plan, you can speed up and simplify the process.
Yes, you can hire a professional business plan writer to write your business plan for you. Working with a professional can be especially useful if you're still struggling to write your business plan even when using a template. Just be prepared to talk about your business, provide the appropriate details, and review the finished plan to be sure it actually reflects your business.
If you want to learn more about the process, go ahead and schedule a consultation with a LivePlan-approved professional business plan writer.
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